#rivervale_lodge

"Mm good start. Hit the broad width of it more square. This is one time you don't want or need 'focused' force so much as spread out for maximum dispersal"

"So...." Another shot, more square. "That?"

"Just like that" She nods "Don't worry too much about the matereral being damaged, this isn't lace or silks. Some of these blankets and quilts are older than we are. And while Heatherbalm isn't always used on objects, it works just fine on them if you know the trick so even if something did happen we'd have it down. I'll leave you to it and handle the toilets"

"You do you," Rowan says as Gerd leaves, then looks at the rugs again, and then the stick-thing. "You gotta be shittin' me," they mutter. "Well...here goes." And the beating of the rugs of Rivervale begins.

It is possible there maybe some swing back, but in the end Rowan Wins, 2 out of 3 of their fights with the rugs (Scene)

....

Connor searches around the Barn. Dagmar has been gone FOR EV ER. Or maybe a couple days. Or maybe a couple weeks! It's hard to tell, Dreaming time and Real World Time alike get confusing around the holidays. Time has no meaning. But what he DOES know is that he misses her.

"She'll be back" Ylva assures him "She's very skilled as a warrioress"

"And could like, rip off a head with one hand and spit down the neck" Swila joins in helpfully

Layne chimes in "But she wouldn't because she's SO nice. RIGHT guys?"

Swilla mutters something. Ylva, resigned says "Right. Nice rules."

"Nice rules" Layne says and offers Connor a peanut butter cookie "Got one for you"

"Oh, I could never. I'm watching my figure." He says as he gobbles up the cookie./

"HA" Swilla says then eyes the bag "Can I Have the bag?"

"Sure?" Layne offers.

Swilla eats the bag

"mmmph" she says happily

Layne's eyes widen, then she looks at Ylva

Ylva shrugs

"I brought you a kazoo" Otto offers up one "Forged in the tires of Mt. Vroom"

"Ooooo! I can use it when Dagmar gets back!" Connor leans in and mentions conspiratorily to the other kids, "Symon loves Kazoos."

"And bright colorful sstreamers in his hair" Otto adds, recalling his FIRST encounter with taxidermy threats

"Well, who wouldn't?" Layne says

Ylva and Swila both raise their hands

Connor's tail wags!

"Swila, string cheese is like dairy streamers." He offers.

Swila blinks "Little bastard is a genius"

Layne sighs "Nicely"

"Medium sized bastard is a genius" Swila corrects

"I am not. I know who my dad is!" Connor BEAMS with delight at this. "He is the Duke of New York."

"State, not City." He revises. "The city is too noisy for his hundred horses."

Layne nods "His Dad is a great Ailil Lord, who knows ALL there is to about horses. I met him. He seems nice. Blossom this other centaur? She's a bit of a .. not nice" Hurumph

"Blossom is plenty nice!" Connor argues back. "She's good at accepting compliments."

"She has like bags of em" Otto adds

"Now YOU, Connor, are nice" Layne says

"Saddlebags of them!"

Connor gasps. "Don't let anyone know! They'll take advantage of poor ol' little me."

"Oh mum's the word" Ylva says/ "I totally will" Swilla assures

"Mums are flowers." Connor adds helpfully. "No one is named that though, that would be silly."

"Thanksgiving is tomorrow" Layne blurts " I just felt the urge to let everyone know."

"We can tell time, " Ylva assures her

"Oh no! We haven't even decorated the Turkey yet! Or hung up our stuffings by the chimney!"

"See? It's like we lsot track" Layne says

"I never lose track of thanksgiving" Swilla assures

"It's the new comers, they came in here, stealing our jerbs and turkey, and turkeys with Jerbs" Otto says "I like em" the last true but mixed with lies

Connor nods firmly, making a decision and a Decree. "Official Shadowpaw Orders. Each of you, pick a referreee, and stick to 'em like glue. Make sure they are welcome. Maybe if we annoy them enough, they'll leave before Yule and we won't have to give them presents."

"More for me" Swila says

"We get to help" Layne opines

"Duty noted" Ylva says

"Set to stun" Otto adds helpfully